Combined binder and display easel



Oct. 14, 1952 E. ERICSON 2,613,956

- COMBINED BINDER AND DISPLAY EASEL Filed Oct. 6, 1950 Patented Oct. 14, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcs" COMBINED BINDER AND DISPLAY EASEL Elmer W. Ericson, Chicago, 111.

Application October 6, 1950, Serial No. 188,720

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in a combined sheet-like body binder and display easel, having for an object to provide a cheap, durable, strong and simply operable product in which sheet-like bodies, such as advertising displays, mats, photographs, and various other similar devices can be arranged in juxtaposed relation and connected or mounted therein for swinging movement, plus convenient, easy and quick mounting for such swinging movement and/or removal therefrom.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a combined binder and display easel which, by simple and easy adjustment, or readjustment, can be instantly converted from a binder into a secure and sturdy easel display whereon a plurality of sheet-like bodies will be swingably supported and capable of selective individual or collective turning from non-display to display positions, or vice versa.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combined binder and display easel of the indicated character, wherein the sheet-like body mounting means, and particularly, the binder backbone is capable of a limited pivoting movement as and when the sheet-like bodies connected to and mounted on the same are swung from one position to another, i. e., from a non-display position to a display position, or vice versa, allowing such bodies, as the aggregate weight thereof accumulates on one side or the other of the easel, to hang from the mounting flatly against and over the area of the particular side of the easel adjacent which the same are arranged and thereby materially improve their positions of display,

as well as ensure the positive though movable retention of the bodies of their swung or turned positions.

The foregoing, as well as other objects, advantages and meritorious teachings of my invention,

will be in part obvious and in part pointed out in the following detailed disclosure thereof, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it being understood that the forms of the invention presented herein are precise and what is now considered to be the better modes of embodying its principles, but that other modifications and changes may be made in specific embodiment without departing from its essential features.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an end elevation of the invention showing the same in closed or book-like form.

Figure 2 is a perspective showing the device of the invention in easel form and sheet displaying position.

as to completely encase the same.

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse, vertical section through the back and portions of the cover panels in easel form and displaying position, illustrating the motion arrested posi-tionof the back with relation to the cover panels as the result of the pendent aggregate weight of successively displayed sheets adjacent one ofrsaid panels whereby said sheets hang flatly adjacent the same. I

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, showing a modified form of spine member for the device back, and,

Figure 5 is a detail in perspective of the form of spine member shown in Figure 4. a

Referring in detail to the accompanying draw.- ings, particularly, to that form of the invention illustrated by Figures 1-3 thereof, thesame includes, preferably, though not necessarily, complemental stiif cover panels I and 2 and a back 3. The cover panels can be covered or sheathed insuitable material 4, portions of which are extended from one side of one of the panels to the corresponding side of the other. Thereby, the spanning back 3 is provided with its opposite sides hingedly or swingably connected to the aforesaid sides of the panels I and 2. I s

A substantially stiff panel-like extension 5, of suitablewidth, is hinged-or swingably connected as at 6, to the remaining side of the panel {and carries a flap 1 on its free end adapted, with easel-like positioning of the cover panels I and 2, to overlie a lower portion of the panell and tobe detachably connected thereto byappropriate fasteners or separable fasteners 8 (see Figure 2).

Other separable fastener members 8' may be and preferably are mounted on the inner face of the extension 5, in proximity to its hinging to the panel 2, and with arrangement of the binder in closed position (see Figure 1), are adapted to be engaged with the component fastener members'fi on the cover panel i.- Thus, the binder will be locked in its closed position;

The back 3, in addition to the spanning portion of the material 4 between the cover panelsl and 2, consists of flat rectangular stiff strips9, 9' and 9 of corresponding lengths and successively decreased widths, as shown in Figure 3. Said strips are juxtaposed in the relation shown, joined by a positive adhesive or other suitable'means, and longitudinally inserted into and between the plies of material 4 of the back 3. Thereupon, the ends of the back forming materialare preferably closed over the opposite ends of the flat stiff strips so Because of the successively decreased widths of the fiat stiff strips 9,! and 9 and theirjoined relation, it will be seen that the opposite sides of the back assembly 3 will be stepped or substantially bevelled in opposite directions; also that the inner and outer faces thereof will be flat throughout their respective areas, the purpose of which will be hereinafter understood.

A binding assembly, including a base or body II, mounting spaced suitable loose leaf binder rings I 2 thereon, is fixedly engaged longitudinally of and along the normally inner and wider side or the back assembly 3 substantially throughout its length. Spaced rivets I3 are passed through and connected to adjacent portions ofthe base I I and the adjacent wider stiff'strip' 9; thereby effecting the aforesaid fixed engagement. Sheets I 4, of appropriate shape and/or size, are

adapted to be detachably and loosely engaged with the binding assembly rings I2, being swingable over and about the same in a manner similar to book page turning.

' ZWhen thexdevice isusedas a'display easeL'Ithe separable fasteners 8and' 8' are disengaged. Thereupon the cover'panels I and. 2 are swung iromth'e position shown in Figure 1 so as to substantially'revers'etheir relationing, bringing them into the-inverted V-shaped'formation shown'in Figure 2'. The extension is now moved to span the'spaced'lower sides'of the panels 'I and 2 and its flap 'I is overlappingly engaged with'the lower side of the panel I and detachably connected thereto by interengaging the fastener members 8. The sheets I 4 engaged with and depending from the binder rings I2-may all be arranged adjacent the panel I (see-Figure 2); When in sucha position, they'aggregate weight of such sheets will be sumcient to cause downward swinging of the'near 'side 'ot the-back3'," the'binder ring" base II' and rings I 2'," and upward and outward swinging {of the opposite side of said" back: The swinging mo'vcment-of'the' back assembly-will be arrested or limited'by the abutting engagement of the above described bevelled or" angledupper and outer-side'oi theback 3 with an'adjacent portion otthe-pa'nel 2*and so; solidsupport'will be accorded said back assembly and the pendent sheets. Moreover, said pendent sheets will be substantial- 1y tiat 'againstand=overthe adjacent face of the panel "I, thereby materially improving their dis- Play.

- 'nssumingnow thatthe'sheets I4-supported'ad- 'jacent' -th'e panel I are to-be hinged or turned on'thebinder rings I2 for successive display adjacent or-over the panel 2, it will be seen and appreciated that as they are to be turned, the increasingtweight th'ereof'pendant from said rings will -cause the back assembly toswing so that" its side hlngedto the panel2 will move downwardly,'while its opposite side,-hinged to the panel I, will move upwardly and outwardly. As the number and hence; theweight of these turned sheets increases, thenow lower bevelled or angled side of the'back will abutian'f adjacent :portion of the panel 2. (lonsequ'ently; theswingingmovement of the back assembly in thiswparticulardirection'will be arrestedand/or limitedr'and'solidrsupport will be provided" to the'nsame: and the sheets hanging therefrom over-the panel 2.. Bythe-same token, these: sheets will be arranged" substantially fiat zagainst andlover theadjacent faceiof said. panel 'fifor: now manifest reasons.

I A- .user,"'-h'aving=.no furtheror imme'diate'ineed fori thexdisplay' easel,: assabove, and :desiring to return the-device to itsclosed orxbook-like form (see Figure 1) ,u'disengagesxth'e i-separable fasten- :ers'iljxswlngsrthexextension':5'2and lfiapJ'I from its inpa'nningaposition to;one adjacent: the nowz outer effectively presented thereon and thereby in a durable, economical manner.

'In" Figures 4'and 5 of the drawings, I have shown a-.slightly modified form of spine member for the back assembly of the invention. Instead of making the-spine member of laminated con struction, i. e., the juxtaposed and joined stiff strips 9, 9 and 9 the spine member may be made of a single or one piece construction, indicated at I5: It .may be'formed of metal, plastic, wood or other suitable materials" and/or combinations thereof, such as conditions: or preference mayydictate, havingflat and relatively substantially parallel inner and outer faces-and opposite sides bevelled or angled in' opposite directions; as shown at I5.

This spine member I5-is snugly received between the plies ofth'e material 4' of the back 8', whose open ends-may be and preferably are closed thereover, as shown in Figure'l of the-drawings. Thereby, the back assembly is provided with angled or bevelled sides which serve the same purpose as Y the like sides of the laminated 'spine membersfl, 9 andil To fixedly mount the-"loose leaf binder ring carrying base'or'body I I on the above backassembly; spaced rivets l are passedthrough' the same and adjacent portions of the spine member I5 and are appropriately anchored? Preferably, said rivets are not engaged through'the adjacent or outer'ply of material 4 of the back 3. Thus, a continuous and unbroken surface is'provided thereto on which intelligence can be economically and effectively.- printed or otherwise presented;

The angle or-bevel oftheopposite sides of the laminated spine'm'emb'r 9, 9 and 9*" and/or the one piece spin'e member 15, itis to be understood, may be-at various-and different degrees, though it is not'considered necessary that the same shall beflless than QO ora right-angle, in order that the back assembliesoreither of them shall be permitted an extent: of movement'such as exemplified by the accompanyingdrawings.

The purpose of 'or reason for angling or bevellingthe opposite sides ofthe laminated spine membersil; 9; 9 andthe one piece spine'member I5, it will be understood is to permit the reverse positioning of the cover panelsto I and 2 and their more or less fiu'shly abutting engagement with the opposite sides of said spine members in the manner shown in Figures 2; 3'and 4 of the accompanying drawings. Suitableabutting engagement'under similar conditions or' positions of the panels I and'2 may be assured where the spine member is'of laminated or one piece construction with an overallrectangular formation, 1. e., the oppositelongitudinal sides of suchvmember being at right angles to the inner and. outer faces of the same.

Further. describing myinvention, it is of essencethat (1) .thehinging. or pivoting of the cover. panels I and 2'shall. be effected, via the back-sheathing I; adjacent-to or'even directly to the normally inner edges or extremities o'f the opposite longitudinal sides of the spine members 9, 9', 9 or E5, and, (2) that, preferably though not absolutely necessarily, the depths or thicknesses of said spine members shall be substantially greater than said cover panels I and 2. Thus, when these cover panels are hingedly position reversed in the manner well shown in Figure 2, portions of their now inner sides will be selectively and individually abuttingly engageable with and over the opposite longitudinal sides of the spine members 9, 9', 9 or 15, or the now inner and free edges of said longitudinal sides. In consequence, an efficient motion limiting or stop means will be provided to the spine members or back assembly for those purposes and reasons hereintofore fully described.

Because of the hereinbefore described adjustability of the book back and/ or the spine, the invention when set-up as an easel, will operate to flatly hang displayed sheets from the binding mechanism over either of the adjacent faces of the panels or 8, i. e., they will be prevented from flexing adjacent and along those portions of the same which are engaged on the retaining rings [3 when turned to displaying positions. In consequence, the need for use of fabric hinge strips or stubs and joining the same to inner end portions of sheets whereby to space said sheets from the rings 13 for distances sufiicient to ensure their fiat pendant positioning adjacent the panels I or 6 will be eliminated. Thereby, a material saving in production costs is effected.

I claim: I

1. A combined binder and easel, comprising stiff relatively opposed and spaced cover panels, sheet-like material disposed over and covering said panels and spanning the space therebetween forming a spine receiving and retaining flexible means, a stiff spine member snugly in and longitudinally of said receiving and retaining means being of a width less than that of the sheet-like material spanning the space between the stifi cover panels and spaced from said panels, the opposite sides of the spine member being beveled, relatively converging and individually abuttingly engageable with adjacent portions of said panels, at times, the opposite faces of the spine member being fiat throughout their entire areas, binder means disposed longitudinally of the normally inner and wider face of the spine member over the adjacent spanning portion of said sheet-like material, means connecting the binder means to said spine member through said adjacent spanning portion of the sheet-like material, said connecting means being covered by the remaining spanning portion of said sheet-like material, and an extension hinged to the free side of one of the panels detachably connectible to the free side of the remaining panel whereby to, at times, retain the same in spaced relation.

A combined binder and easel, comprising stiff relatively opposed and spaced cover panels, sheet-like material disposed over and covering said panels and spanning the space therebetween, forming a spine receiving and retaining flexible means, a stifi spine member snugly in and longitudinally of said receiving and retaining means being of a width less than that of the sheet-like material spanning the space between the stiff cover panels and spaced from said panels, said spine member consisting of a plurality of juxtaposed interconnected coincidentally extending stiff fiat strips of successively decreasing widths positioned with their opposite side portions in stepped relation whereby to provide relatively oblique and convergent opposite sides to said spine member, binder means disposed longitudinally of the normally inner and wider face of the spine member over the adjacent spanning portion of said sheet-like material, connecting means engaged through the normally innermost of the strips of said spine member and through the adjacent spanning portion of the sheet-like material fixedly engaged with said binder means, and an extension hinged to the free side of one of the panels detachably connectible to the free side of the remaining panel whereby to, at times, retain the same in spaced relation.

ELMER W. ERICSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,523,500 Trussell Jan. 20, 1925 1,918,773 Morehouse July 18, 1933 1,931,641 Bird Oct. 24, 1933 2,035,571 Schade Mar. 31, 1936 2,229,012 Geyzer Jan. 14, 1941 

